Some Fridays I just want to sit somewhere that isn't my desk or my couch, with a drink in my hand and nobody asking me for a status update. I've been doing this for a couple years now, so I've got a routine. A coworker asked about it last week, I went on too long, so here it is typed up once.
Why Friday Needs a Plan
If I don't decide ahead of time, I end up eating cereal at 8 p.m. and feeling guilty about it. So I pick a spot early in the week and stick to it. It sounds boring, but it works. Having somewhere to go beats scrolling my phone for an hour.
Happy Hour in Houston Beats a Late Dinner
Dinner at 8 means a bigger bill and a longer night, and by then I'm already tired. Going earlier gets me the same room and the same bar for a lot less. Happy hour in Houston is the sneaky move, honestly. I'd rather go twice on a budget than once and regret the receipt.
Know the Deals Before You Drive
I hate vague "specials," so here are the real numbers. Signature cocktails are half price, beer is $2 off, and wine by the glass is $3 off. Those mostly run 3 to 6. The wider social hour goes until about 7, Tuesday through Sunday, and Fridays start way earlier, around 11:30, at least for now. Times shift sometimes, so I always double-check.
The Drink I Keep Ordering
Roasted Pecan Old Fashioned. It's nutty, a little sweet, smooth, and the spirits are infused in-house, so it tastes like somebody actually thought about it. I'm not a big whiskey guy and I finished it fast. At half price a second one doesn't feel like a mistake.
If Whiskey Isn't Your Thing
There's the Modern Aviation, which is a cleaner take on the classic. The Emerald Margarita is tequila, lime and agave, no weird stuff. Beer people get a rotating list of local brews, and wine people get bottles from Napa, Bordeaux and in between. Nobody's stuck with a boring option, which matters when your whole team shows up.
Order a Pile of Small Plates
This is where people go wrong, they order a big entree and miss the good stuff. Skillet bread with chimichurri and Grana Padano goes first, always, usually before we've even taken our coats off. Then fried okra with Old Bay, fingerling bravas, cauliflower hummus with pistachios, or a plain tomato pizza. Five plates between two people and you're done.
Sit at the Bar If You Can
The bar is curved and right in the middle of the room, so you see it as soon as you walk in. It's good for a solo drink, a date, or waiting on the one coworker who's late to everything. I like watching the bartenders work, it's weirdly calming after a long week. And if you can't decide, ask them what to order. They usually like picking.
The Wine Room Is Kind of a Show
Behind glass there's a room with over 1,400 bottles. I know almost nothing about wine, so I mostly just look at it. If you know your stuff you'll have fun, and if you don't, ask the staff what goes with your food. Nobody's ever made me feel dumb for asking, and they run tastings with the in-house sommelier sometimes too.
Stay for Dinner If the Mood Hits
A lot of times I plan one drink and end up staying three more hours. The places to eat in Houston are hand-cut, dry aged in-house, and cooked over wood and coal, which gives you a smoky crust. Filet is soft and mild, and the dry aged New York strip is bolder, which is what I always get. The branzino and yellowtail crudo are good lighter picks, and there's a griddle cheeseburger with fries that I'd eat every Friday.
The Boring Stuff That Saves You
Weeknights are calmer and you can actually hear whoever you came with. Weekends fill up fast, so book ahead if you've got a group, though walk-ins are usually fine at the bar early on. It's closed Mondays. I found that out at a different restaurant once, standing outside at 6 p.m., hungry and embarrassed. Check hours first, they change by day.
So Here's the Deal
You don't need a big occasion to go somewhere nice. Two drinks, a few plates, a good seat at the bar, done. That's most of what I want after a week like that. If you want to try it, Fielding's Steak is at 3750 Westheimer Road in River Oaks. Come by for happy hour, stay for dinner if you feel like it, and reserve a table online first if you're bringing a crowd, because it fills up quick.
FAQs
What time does happy hour start?
The main specials run from about 3 to 6, and the social hour goes until around 7, Tuesday through Sunday. Fridays can start earlier, so double-check before you go.
What are the deals?
Signature cocktails are half price, beer is $2 off, and wine by the glass is $3 off. There are small plates to share too if you want something to eat.
Do I need a reservation for happy hour?
Walk-ins are usually fine, especially on weeknights. For groups or busy weekends, booking ahead saves you the wait.
Can I make dinner out of it?
Yeah, easily. Share a few small plates, or stay for the regular dinner menu if you want a steak.